Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-03

due the United States for interest and sinking
Iuna, recommended an Increase OF water charges in
several particulars including both rents and taxes
This recommendation the Commissioners. after
careful consideration did not consider t necessary
TO ADOPT believing that by the use Of the balance
In the treasury 10 the credit OF the water fund,
combined with a closer scrutiny OF the existing
recorded charges and collection of outstanding
dues, the water Office would at any rate during
the present year 1875 be able to utilize the ufl
amount OF the expenditures authorized in the ap-
proprla1ion& & act. Among the recommendations OF
itself to the Commissioners as meriting favorable
action, not by reason OF the increased revenue to
De derived 80 much as for the more logical and ac-
curate levylng OF water rentals against premises,
Ia conformity with the fundamental principle OF
the domestic rate charge, viz: That domicile
should pay for water in proportion to the area of
its exposed 'front.' purely arbitrary rule but
adopted long since, as convenient and In general
Senss as as IN the absence Of precise
ARTIFICIAL standard OF some sort must be employed.
THE NEW SCHEDULE
Under the then existing schedule all but 16 feet
OF houses above the secend story escaped the
charge. Under the present schedule this omission
Is corrected with slight increase Of 20 cents
$3.50 10 $3oOl On the 16-feet two-Story house, and
decrease OF cents 0rom % to 25) for each addi-
tional front foot OF width
The water otfice reports that the total increase
OF revenue due to the alteration which, 1t may be
repeated, Is the only one the Commissioners have
adopted. is as nearly as may be, $4,000. The
recommeadation Of the water ONCE tor increase OF
Waterman tax not adopted by the Commission
ers) was based not only upon the need for greater
revenue rev put upon other practical considerations.
Ine StleetS OF washington are wide, and the dis
tances from building line to the center OF the
street are considerable Mains have heretofore
been generally laid in the street, necessitating
ting OF the improved pavements, the former a
source OF considerable expense to owners the lat
ter OF injury to the roadways and obstruction of
travel.
THE WATERMAN TAX.
For both reasons it seems desirable to lay the
mains under the sidewalks, but this project in
wolves the laying OF two MAINS one each side OF
the street, imposing double expense upon the water
department, while saving expense to the private
TO recommend an increase OF the Waterman tax
to meet the equities OF the case, but the CommiS-
sloners have deferred taking such action until the
necessity therefor shall have been clearly shown.
Inc laws apparently regard the water rents as
the elastic item to be regulated to meet the neces
sary expenditures, and the Commissioners consider
that the Waterman tax, involving the payment of
considerable sum, should not be increased until
the actual expenses Of laying mains exceeds the
The above answers generally questions Is and
10.
TO No. 1s the answer is Affirmative. The collec-
tions OF Waterman taxes from 1880 to 1885, as
shown by the water Office books were $124, ,6e4 80
and the cost OF laying MAINS $S8 or TO- 1t should
be remembered, however, that 1t Is only from SER
vice mains to be tapped for house connections that
taxes are collected. Larger supply mains must be
laid without reimbursement and many OF these are
needed. FOR example to give proper supply TO the
southwest where the flow Is inadequate by reason
OF the insufficient capacity OF the existing supply
mains to deliver enough water to the expanding
system OF service mains and the Increasing num-
Der of consumers So also Of other sections.
The law imposing Waterman tax provides for
its collection from all properties binding upon or
either by the District or the United states
II a main Is laid at private expense, by agree
ment with the District, no tax can be collected
until the District or the United States shall have
laid main, or become the owner OF the one
alreay laid. This is technical and literal inter-
probation OF the law. although it is obvious for
example, that the owner Of q house fronting upon
d oLrccL in which there Is no pipe, but 1rnmedi-
ateiy adjacent to the corner house, which is sup
phed from a pipe in the inuersecting street, is
really as much benefited by service from the
adjacent street as from the one in 'front.' and upon
the theory OF equal. payment for equal service
should pay his Waterman tax as well as his
neighbor, although he has had to lay perhaps 15
or 20 feet greater length OF service pipe to get the
WAFER.
any obligation rests upon the District to furnish
him with water. unless he Is willing to bear his
equitable proportion OF the expense OF laying the
rived. although 1t is clear that permission to tap
having been given the tax cannot be collected by
lien.
Inc above in reply to questions 16 and17
INCREASED WATER SUPPLY"
OF the $57, 239.O2 paid In 1887 for interest and
sinking fund for Increased water supply"
40 was principal, and $2s O1162, stated
In report OF q. s. Treasurer on District sinking
fund, was interest. The corresponding data for
1883 are:
Prlnclpal. .$45, ,358.40
AAVoAoS1. . 81, ,ZS/.SS
with probably still larger amount to pay in 1889
The total OF water rentals collected TO Sept. 13,
1887, for the current year is $134, ,20e.57.
trust that the replies above will be satisfactory
as tley nave sought TO make them, and that they
will be glad at any time to respond fully as may
De 10 any similar requests for Information from
citizens OF the District, but that the length OF
this communication precludes at this time further
Wa TINDAL1, Secretary.
Oberly's Letter Criticised
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE OHIO DEMOCRATIC
ASSOCIATION.
The Ohio Democratic Association met Saturday
night and the letter OF Civil-Service Commissioner
Oberly was discussed, and resolutions were
adopted declaring the object OF the Ohio Asso-
citation to be to promote democratic interest," pre-
serve party discipline, and further the success OF
the party In Ohio; that on the principle of he who
serves his party best serves his country most the
and law-aDiding motives, and Mr. Oberly is invited
approves Mr.. oberly's denunciatlon Of republican
ndence in the democratic party, and thinks his
letter would nave come with q better grace from
republican campaign orator.
THE COLUMBIA MEDICAL COLLEGE BUILDNG.-The
OF the building OF the medical depart
ment OF the Columbian University, on street.
between 18th and 18th, Is nearly completed The
entire Dulldlng mas been raised story, and much
improved In its architectural appearance. The
OF the building gives much-needed
additional facilities for instruction TO the medical
classes and also furnishes accommodations for the
new dental school, which has been organized in
connection with the other departmentS OF the
Until the improvements on the build
ing are cOmpleted-which will be shOrtIy-the
lectures Will be held at the university building,
corner OF 18th and II streets
A SUPPOSED BURGLAR CREATES EXC1TEMENT.-
About o'clock yesterday morning the appearance
OF supposed burglar in the back yard OF the resi-
dence OF MIS- Blankman, No. Alb New York avenue,
caused considerable excitement in the neighbOr-
house and the whole neighborhood was soon
aroused. Search was made for the intruder, who
escaped over the back fence and disappeared In
the darkness. About fifteen minutes later the
supposed burglar made his appearance at the
front door. young man In the neighbOrhood
asked MIN what ne wanted, and, receiving no re-
spOnse, he fired two shots without enect.
The NATIONAL HOTEL LlTIGATION.-It is now
probable that there viii be sharp fight over the
National Hotel property, corner OF 9Th and Penn
sylvania avenue. Messrs. F. Tenney and W. H.
sold to MIR. Doolittle some months AGO a one third
interest In the house, but difficulties arising,
MeSsrs Tenney and Crosby filed a bin In EQUITY
for the appointment OF receiver and dissolutIOn
or the partnership. Mr.. h. Browning {of Brown
ing ana Middieton( was appointed receiver. MI.
property from the hotel company from the date of
the expiration or the lease then in existence